The Commissioner, Plateau State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Yakubu Dati, has condemned the conversion of government land to commercial uses.
He made the condemnation while receiving the joint management of the National Museum and Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA) in his office.
The commissioner said government cannot fold its hands and watch land donated to government agencies being converted to commercial uses in contravention of the purpose of the grant.
“The land measuring 65 acres was donated to the federal government in 1977 for the promotion of museum and traditional Nigerian architecture. Any resort to commercial use must follow due process with concomitant payments of relevant fees, rents and levies to the state government.
“The change of purpose without recourse to the donor is a contravention under the law, with grave consequences.
“These indiscriminate scrambles and partition of our land resources not only distorts the Greater Jos masterplan but denies government of much-needed revenue,” he said.
The commissioner, while appreciating the management of the team for responding to the 30-day notice served on the agency, said the ministry will not relent in its revenue drive as directed by Governor Simon Lalong.
“Since government land freely given for not-for-profit activity is now being leased out for commercial activities, government must be paid its lawful dues to enable it to deliver on its mandate,” he added.
Meanwhile, the commissioner, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ambrose Allaburah, surveyor general and directors from the ministry, alongside the management of the museum have undertaken an inspection tour of areas leased out for commercial activities.
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